Social Sharing

Federal legislation requires two independent witnesses for an assisted death request. According to assisted death advocates, this can create a barrier for the severely ill and elderly who are often living in social isolation.

Social Sharing

According to federal legislation, family members often do not qualify to be independent witnesses

Ellen Agger is the co-chair of the Victoria chapter of Dying with Dignity and she says being an independent witness to a stranger's assisted death request can be both humbling and rewarding. (Ellen Agger)

It is an unexpected barrier to assisted death.

When the federal legislation for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) was passed in June of 2016, the patient's request required two independent witnesses.

Ellen Agger, the co-chair of the Victoria chapter of Dying with Dignity Canada, says some people have no one to ask to be an independent witness.

"Frequently, but not always, people are quite elderly," Agger said. "They may have lost a lot of their friends already."

Adding to the challenge are the stringent rules surrounding assisted death legislation dealing with restrictions on independent witnesses, including forbidding anyone who benefits under the the patient's will.